COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 12: Raffi Torres #14 of the Columbus Blue Jackets looks on during a break in NHL game action against the Phoenix Coyotes on November 12, 2008 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. The Coyotes defeated the Blue Jackets 5-2. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

The NHL announced Saturday morning that Coyotes forward Raffi Torres has been suspended 25 games for his hit to the head of Blackhawks winger Marian Hossa in Game 3 of their first-round series last Tuesday.
Torres had a face-to-face meeting with league disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan at the NHL's office in New York on Friday -- a meeting originally scheduled for Wednesday but delayed at Torres' request -- and the punishment was announced about 10 hours prior to Game 5 in Phoenix, with the Coyotes having a chance to complete their first-ever series victory.
Should the 25 games not be served by the conclusion of the 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs -- unlikely since that would require the Coyotes playing seven games in every remaining possible series through the finals -- the remaining games of the suspension will carry over to the 2012-13 regular season. Torres also will be prohibited from playing in any preseason games until he has completed his suspension, although only regular-season g...

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